Rays closer Brad Boxberger will be out of action for eight weeks after undergoing core muscle surgery, per manager Kevin Cash (via Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Twitter links). Tampa Bay doesn’t expect to look for an outside addition, preferring instead to utilize internal options without naming a single 9th-inning man while Boxberger is out.
The Rays thinned out their pitching depth somewhat over the winter, bringing in options in the field in trades that cost the club arms such as Jake McGee and Nate Karns. McGee, certainly, would have been the obvious choice to fill in for Boxberger were he still with the club.
As things stand, Alex Colome looks like a good bet to receive the lion’s share of the save opportunities that arise — even if he’s not anointed as the closer. After all, the live-armed righty was reportedly set to receive frequent eighth-inning assignments in a setup role. Other possibilities include right-handers Danny Farquhar and Steve Geltz and southpaw Xavier Cedeno.
Of course, unlike the cross-state Marlins’ season-long loss of Carter Capps, this injury promises only to be a temporary setback. Any significant injury is cause for concern with a pitcher — the lingering effects and cascading impact on a delivery can be a subtle threat — and it isn’t clear whether the eight-week estimated timetable is for Boxberger’s return to baseball activities or to a major league mound. But it seems there’s at least hope that he’ll be able to make it back before May is out.
Let’s play a game called, Guess Who I Am.
“This is great news for my Sox. Taking away the best reliever on my Sox’s biggest competition for 8 weeks only solidifies our hold on the AL East this year,”
Hahaha love it
Lol a dumb baseball fan ??? If you think the rays are the biggest competition
-1 for not mentioning a possible Red Sox
All-Star
You mean your last place Sux? Were very exited to watch Hanley at first and Pablo choke on a footlong. Go play in the street.
Lighten up he was mocking someone else. Why are people unable to understand what a joke is, but have a full grasp on what hostility is?
Hilarious joke!
You haven’t yet seen the hilarious part yet..
That all happens when Boras sends Boxberger to his so called “training camp” he keeps to one of his own “doctors” as he calls them, then that 8 weeks turns into 16.. Even 24 weeks..
THAT is when it turns hilarious on the penny pinching Rays, who went out and unloaded every other reliever this off season who was making any kind of money who could have stepped in.
Unless I’m missing something, the only Rays reliever that was dealt this offseason was McGee – who had an injury riddled 2015 and pitched a total of 37 innings…his lowest since 2011. Also, while the bullpen is most certainly the biggest question mark, and this will certainly not help, Boxy was not very fun to watch the 2nd half of last year. At the same time, Colome was a dominant force and have the feeling he’ll make large strides this year. Ultimately, I wouldn’t be surprised if this issue increases the likelihood that the Rays will deal one of the following (DJ, LOMO, Guyer, Mahtook) from our outfield logjam and snag another decent bullpen arm. Otherwise, they could always turn to minor league depth such as Faria, Guerrieri, Andriese, Bellatti, Shultz, etc to pick up the slack. Lastly, while the bullpen may not be as good as other ALE teams…if Smyly & Moore remain healthy, it wouldnt be a surprise if they have one of the best, if not the best, rotations in all of baseball – especially once Cobb returns. And that is no joke…
Well said. I could see Loney going for a pitcher as well, especially if any other teams suffer more injuries.
Anyone that thinks Loney brings back anything? Has problems, almost as many as someone who counts on pitchers (3 of ’em) coming back from serious arm issues all playing major roles in a rotation. Loney is making *10m* and is/was Morneau without the bat, the same Morneau that drew *0* interest on the market, before deciding on surgery instead.
Moore struggled mightily last year on his return from TJ. Cobb won’t even be 12 months removed from TJ until mid May and Smiley?
Labrum tears are not common in this day and age, but they don’t heal with rest, just like UCL tears, or that misnaming of “sprained” UCL’s. That tear is still there, just like it was, only swelling has gone down and inflammation.
Understand he and TB wants/needs him on the mound and labrum tears are long term on the shelf, or career ending surgeries in some cases. Don’t blame them for this, unlike for those “sprained” UCL’s that is wrong headed approach. Do think he’ll end up going down, do hope TB gets service out of Smiley, track record (have to go back) is not nearly as good for labrum tear surgeries.
Good flip of the script! I was merely commenting on your statement saying “the Rays went out and unloaded every other reliever” this offseason…when in reality they dealt McGee in what most “experts” deemed a lopsided deal for the Rays.
As for our rotation, it was top 3 in the AL last year without our Cobb and Moore for the year and Smyly out for 80%. I think it’s safe to say our staff is going to be an upgrade of those guys get 1/2 a season each.
Also, if you check the facts, Moore struggled when he came back and got sent down to AAA then came back up and was a lights out his last 5 or 6 starts of the season. On top of which, he looks amazing in ST (had 8 K’s yesterday in 4.2 innings) in a televised game.
Oh there is also this lefty you might have heard of named Blake Snell who should be up any second with Faria right behind him…
Add a healthy Moore with Archer, Odor, Cobb, Smyly, Ramirez, Snell and Faria…
It’s pretty clear you’re An uninformed troll. Have a good one and GO RAYS!!!
Oh and it just so happens said person posted something very similar to the joke he made. Great job ronnsnow. Sorry that some don’t get humor.
Two can play at that game…. Now if I can just work out how to squeeze in the White Sox sucking, my imaginary voluntary work, stfu, using their, there and they’re interchangeably and reply constantly saying how I’m not bothered…. Oh and even mention aliens and government conspiracies….
Lol!
You are a worse poster/bigger loser for caring this much about it instead of ignoring it like everyone else.
No one ignores it. And YOU are by far the worst poster on here.
Ouch, tough loss for the Rays. He wore down toward the end of last year but overall he had a pretty good year serving as TB’s closer. With an already thin BP before the loss of Boxberger this area of their team is now a major concern. The other 4 teams in the ALE have very good bullpens, especially my Sox, the Rays are at a major disadvantage here. It will be interesting to see how Kevin Cash juggles things to make his BP work to the best of their abilities while Boxberger is out. All that said, wouldn’t be surprised to see the Rays out something together and still compete, they always seem to find a way.
Sorry mate, I honestly dont see how the Red Sox has a better bullpen than the Yankees or even the Orioles. This coming from a Sox fan btw
I completely agree, the Rays are relentless. Regardless of the challenges they face, they always find a way to compete. Makes me miss the days when they were an easy sweep, with lineups featuring Carl Crawford, Aubrey Huff, and very little else.
Don’t forget Cantu!! (for like 2 good years anyway)
Great post! Keep em comin!
Boston’s looking really good this year, but injuries to key div rival players will do them good moving forward!
You’re the only person on here that doesn’t see a problem with him continuously finding a way to fit the Red Sox into every post. Even the publisher told him to stop including the Sox in every post the other day.
lol it’s really not a big deal. I get a good chuckle watching all you stiffs get so mad over his posts
Could always trade for Jake McGee…
Braves would trade either Arodys Vizcaino or Jason Grilli and Daniel Winkler for any of Erasmo Ramirez, Matt More, Blake Snell or Alex Cobb(DL).
Lol.
Awfully generous of you to offer those elite prospects to the Rays.
Best the Braves have to offer in Bullpen arms. Vizcaino is elite with 100+ fastball. Grilli has more saves than the entire Rays staff. Winkler led the minors in ERA prior to injury. Do not even know if Cobb will ever pitch again or if Snell will make it to the show. Pretty good value compared to TJ, Prospect, and back of the rotation starters.
You gave up way too much! Jason Grilli and a copy of his book is clearly enough for Chris Archer and Blake Snell.
Now this is a good joke. Might as well toss in Faria and Guerrieri.
Don’t think a Jason Grilli-Alex Cobb trade is fair for the Braves.
Are we done playing opposites yet?
Alex Colome can do the job just fine.
Yeah but who’s gonna do HIS job? Losing a back-end bullpen piece causes major chain reactions.
Boxberger has been my sleeper fantasy closer the last 2 years…Guess I’ll have to find another now and stash him on IR…lol
Kevin Jepsen trade bears a mention in such a post.
Rays better react fast. Remember its good to find a closer early. You dont want to have blow saves to begin the season as those losses come back and haunt a teams season.
Gee, I’m glad the Cubs didn’t trade Soler or Baez for Cobb and/or Boxberger as was being tossed around earlier in the offseason.
Tim, we need a way to report and/or down vote comments.